Levee-protector



(No Model.)

J. M. MQLEMORE 8v 0. D. JONES.

LEVER PROTECTOR.

Patented Mar. 26, 1889.

i z E WITNESSES I ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. Photn-Lflhogmpher, Washington. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. MCLEMORE AND CHARLES D. JONES, OF COUS HATTA, LOUISIANA.

LEVEE-PROTECTO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 400,101, dated March26, 1889.

Application filed October 3, 1888. Serial No. 287,117. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES M. MCLEMORE and CHARLES D. JONES, ofCoushatta, Red River parish, in the State of Louisiana, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Levee-Protectors, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for protecting the artificial dikesor levees used principally on Western rivers. The levee itself is aprotector to the natural bank of the river, but at times and fromspecial causes it is found inadequate to accomplish its purpose. It issometimes submerged and overflowed by high water, or undermined andwashed out by currents, great damage being caused in either event tothese costly structures.

The object of this invention is to supply a removable shield orprotector, which may be placed at points exposed to dangers of thischaracter, and which will entirely prevent the disastrous results abovealludedto.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction, aswill be hereinafter fully explained in the annexed specification, andparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front View. Fig. 2 is avertical transverse section through the levee structure and theprotecting-shield. Fig. 3 shows the protector as a deepener of channels.

A represents the levee structure, which in transverse section is offrusto pyramidal shape and built in the usual way. The shield B isapplied to the water front of the levee, extending below the same, asshown, and 'is constructed in sections of cast or wrought iron of anysuitable size and thickness. These sections are bolted together, asshown at h, each of the sections being formed with a rabbet, b, on whichthe overlapping section fits, making a smooth front and a water-tightjoint. Fig. 1 shows a portion of a shield composed of four metallicsections.

The shield is of course backed by the front wall of the levee; but as itextends above the crown of the latter it is necessary to provideadditional means for resisting the pressure of the water. This isafforded by braces C, Fig. 2, which may be secured to or cast with theprotector, and extend from it back at a sufficient angle to afford thegreatest resistance to the crown of the levee, where they are firmlybolted or otherwise anchored. This work continued until a sufficientheight is reached for the levee structure. It is also very effective asa breakwater or dike in deepening channels in which bars have beenformed by confining the water to the channel, as shown in Fig. 3,resulting in the removing of the obstacle. In this case the shields areset at an angle to the bank as far as the bar or the portion requiringdeepening extends and confines the water to a narrow channel, whichcauses the current to scour or wash out the bottom. It is also of greatservice for temporary use in repairing old levees by defending them fromthe water while the repairs are progressing.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination,- with the levee structure A, of the shield B,applied to the front of the levee, said shield consisting of sectionsbolted together, as at h, each of said sections formed with a rabbet, b,on which the overlapping section fits, whereby a smooth front and awater-tight joint are formed, substantially as and for the purposedescribed.

2. The combination, with the levee A of the usual form, of the shield B,applied to the water-front of said levee, said shield formed of metallicsections secured together, the lower section extended below the leveeand entered into the river-bed, the upper portion of said shieldprojected above the levee, and an angle-brace, 0, formed substantiallyas shown, its upright arm connected to the rear of the upper projectingportion of said shield, its horizontal member resting on the levee top,substantially as shown and described.

JAMES M. MoLEMORE. CHARLES D. JONES. WVitnesses:

J. M. T. ELLIOTT, THEo. SAYLOR.

